Minnesota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Winona County, MN

The median household in Winona County, MN earns $70,744 a year ($5,895/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,066/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$70,744$5,895 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,066HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.6-1.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential MN
Census Population49,779Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Winona County, MN

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,066Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,769At 30% of $70,744
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Winona County, MN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Winona County, MN. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Winona County, MN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$791$9,492$31,64013.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$868$10,416$34,72014.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,066$12,792$42,64018.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,336$16,032$53,44022.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,543$18,516$61,72026.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Winona County, MN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Winona County, MN

Based on the local median household income of $70,744/year ($5,895/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,948/moRent ($1,066 2-BR), utilities (~$158/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,769/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,179/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Minnesota

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Minnesota state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$70,744
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,744
Net 78%
Fed 10%
MN 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,311After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,609Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,127Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,734 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$3,287 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,412 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Minnesota with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Winona County, MN

What is the median household income in Winona County, MN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Winona County, MN is $70,744 per year (approximately $5,895 per month).

What is the average rent in Winona County, MN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Winona County, MN are $791 for a studio, $868 for 1 bedroom, $1,066 for 2 bedrooms, $1,336 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,543 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Winona County, MN compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Winona County, MN is 98.6 (1.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Winona County, MN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,066/month) in Winona County, MN requires a minimum gross household income of $42,640 per year ($3,553 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Winona County, MN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $70,744/year ($5,895/month) in Winona County, MN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,948/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,769/month to discretionary spending, and $1,179/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Winona County, MN?

Residential electricity rates in Minnesota average 17.5¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $158 per month.